Each year across America, more than 800,000 patients are treated in the emergency room for slip and fall accidents. The total medical cost for those falls reaches beyond $50 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From minor bumps and bruises to severe head injuries, like a skull fracture, a Pawleys Island slip and fall lawyer needs to be involved in your fall case.

You may not realize the severity or lasting effects an injury may have, but a skilled Pawleys Island lawyer will review your case and consider all long-term effects on your health. The Hopkins Law Firm knows that so often these slip and fall cases are avoidable. Many companies and businesses can prevent falls from occurring, but whether from a lack of knowledge or pure negligence, do not make a change when needed. From wet floors to nursing home neglect, here are the top three causes of slip and fall accidents.

Slip And Fall Accidents South Carolina

Wet or otherwise hazardous walking surface. The National Floor Safety Institute reports 55 percent of slip and fall accidents are a direct result of hazardous walking surfaces. While a slippery floor may be the most common culprit, there are other issues that can create very dangerous environments, such as:

• Cluttered walkways
• Defective sidewalks
• Degrading or poorly built stairs
• Loose tiles or floorboards
• Parking lot potholes
• Wet or recently waxed floors

While this list covers the majority of hazardous floor situations, it certainly doesn't cover each unique situation. If you feel you or a loved one has suffered a fall injury due to negligence by a property owner, contact the Hopkins Law Firm in Pawleys Island.

Weather conditions. Contrary to popular belief, slip and fall cases do not have to occur indoors. Varying weather conditions, like rain, snow or ice, can make a sidewalk or walkway extremely dangerous. Weather can be unpredictable, but it's still the responsibility of property owners and municipalities to take action to keep customers and citizens safe. From plowing streets to shoveling or salting sidewalks, proper steps must be taken to create a safe environment.

Improperly trained employees. Not all slip and fall accident victims are citizens or shoppers. Employees in different work environments, like construction or manufacturing, often operate on slick, uneven or narrow walkways. If the employer doesn't offer proper training, including direction on the most effective footwear, workers can fall and become severely injured.

While there are hundreds of thousands of slip and fall victims each year, there are, unfortunately, those who create fraudulent claims, making many business owners or municipalities wary of injury claims. For this reason, hiring the best slip and fall injury lawyer in Pawleys Island is important to bringing fast and just action to your case.

If you believe defective sidewalks, negligent care following a weather event or being improperly trained contributed to your fall, contact the Hopkins Law Firm today for a case consultation. Our skilled attorneys will work with you to ensure you don't suffer beyond physical damages.